Puerto Rico Updates Rules For Vaccinated American Travelers

On May 25, 2021

Vaccinated American travelers can start getting excited about a vacation in Puerto Rico. As of May 24, the island has updated its COVID-19 requirements for entry. Puerto Rico also plans to lift its local curfew from May 28, 2021.

Puerto Rico relaxes COVID-19 rules and regulations

While initially the island had said it would change its COVID-19 entry requirements on May 28, Puerto Rico decided to do so from May 24 instead. This means entry protocols are relaxed for inbound American travelers who are fully vaccinated. It also means that if travelers are vaccinated, they no longer need a negative COVID-19 test result. What Americans need is to present a valid vaccination card upon entry in Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, the local curfew, which has been in effect since March 2020 from midnight to 5 a.m., will also be dropped on May 28.

Brad Dean, CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, said in a statement, “As restrictions loosen, we look forward to welcoming travelers seeking to responsibly explore our island while taking advantage of the ease of travel that comes with Puerto Rico being a U.S. territory.”

Requirements for unvaccinated travelers

For those travelers who are yet to receive their COVID-19 vaccination, negative PCR tests will continue to be required, as well as for those arriving on international flights. That PCR test must be taken 72 hours prior to arrival. The travelers will also need to complete a Travel Declaration Form via the Puerto Rico Health Department’s website, in order to obtain an Airport Exit Confirmation number and a QR code.

Visitors should note that any unvaccinated travelers who arrive without a PCR test will face a $300 fine. Those travelers will be required to obtain a COVID-19 PCR test on the island within 48 hours of arrival. They will then need to upload the test result to the online website. Should the test prove negative, the fine will be dismissed. However, should the results be positive, the visitor must head into a mandatory quarantine and seek medical attention.

Additional relaxed restrictions

Besides the change to entry requirements, Puerto Rico has increased capacities for businesses, including shops and restaurants from 30 percent to 50 percent. Fully vaccinated visitors can remove their masks on the beaches and in parks and will be able to consume alcohol at pools and on the beaches.

Entertainment venues on the island are set to reopen at 30 percent capacity and all attendees are required to present their vaccination card or a negative COVID-19 antigen test on arrival.

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What does Puerto Rico have to offer?

This popular U.S. territory and Caribbean island offers gorgeous beaches, surrounded by a mountainous landscape, with pretty waterfalls and the El Yunque tropical rainforest. In San Juan, the island’s capital, the Isla Verde area is famous for its hotel strip, casinos and beach bars. The Old San Juan neighborhood boasts attractive Spanish colonial buildings, as well as La Fortaleza and El Morro, the island’s centuries-old fortresses.

If you have received your COVID-19 vaccinations, take a trip to the Caribbean destination of Puerto Rico for a relaxating vacation.

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